How to get unlimited flights for under $2,000

If you want to spend a month jet-setting around the U.S. as often as you like -- for the cost of one first-class plane ticket — a host of new services can help you take flight. But beware: There are plenty of catches.

In the past few years, a number of companies have begun offering unlimited flights for a single monthly fee. Typically, these services cost about $2,000 a month — most of these companies offer private jet flights, though one offers commercial flights — around a certain region of the country, though nationwide options now exist as well.

“It’s a gym model,” explains Rick Singer, the CEO of app marketing company GreatApps — whereby the companies make money on the people who sign up but don’t use the service all that often. “They assume [many of] you won’t use the full value.”

Here are four companies offering unlimited flights for less than $2,000 a month:

OneGo

The most recent option for those looking to fly as much as they want is the startup OneGo, launched this month, which lets you pay a monthly fee to get unlimited, non-stop, economy-class flights to 76 airports via more than 700 routes on major airlines in the U.S.

You can pay $1,500 a month for flights in the western U.S., $1,950 for routes in the central U.S., $2,300 for eastern U.S. flights or $2,950 for flights across the nation; there is a one-time fee to start the service of $495. You can continue to earn miles and points when using this app.

While that price may seem high, for frequent travelers, it can make sense. In 2014, the average domestic passenger paid a round-trip fare of $377.39. Using that data, the nationwide plan could pay for itself if you flew roughly eight times a month, and the other plans could pay off in fewer than that.

There are, of course, catches. Currently, you must book flights seven days in advance, though the company plans to offer last-minute booking in the future. And you will, in most cases, pay change fees if you have to alter your itinerary.

Best for: A traveler who doesn’t mind flying commercial and wants plenty of airport options across the nation.

SurfAir

If you’d rather fly private — and want to stick to the West Coast — consider SurfAir. This private aviation company offers unlimited flights (there are roughly 90 per day) to and from 12 destinations (these include Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas) starting at $1,950 a month, plus a one-time $1,000 initiation fee.

Among the other perks: Free checked bags (up to 30 lbs per flight), no fees for changing your flight, complimentary parking, free WiFi, and since you’re flying private, you don’t have to deal with long security lines (just arrive at the airport roughly 15 minutes before your takeoff time). However, the airport options are mostly limited to California (though the airline says it is adding airports), which means SurfAir generally only makes sense for frequent fliers who fly a lot in that state.

Best for: A traveler who wants to fly private in California.

Rise

Rise, which debuted last year, works similarly to SurfAir but it operates in Texas. You pay $1,650 a month and get unlimited private flights between San Antonio, Houston, Austin, Midland and Dallas, with other cities to be added soon. The initiation fee is $750.

However, most of the flights on Rise only operate Monday through Friday, and the company doesn’t fly on many holidays. It does, though, offer some weekend trip options beyond its typical airports to places like Vail, Seaside and Las Vegas.

Best for: A traveler who wants to fly private in Texas.

Beacon

Beacon — which was created by the founders of SurfAir — offers unlimited private jet flights between New York and Boston (though it says it will offer more cities) for $1,750 a month.

While Beacon travelers have the option of up to 10 flights a day, the fact that it’s just between New York (via Westchester County Airport) and Boston (Logan International Airport) right now is a big downside. And because even first-class seats between these two airports are currently inexpensive (we found some for $350 round-trip), you would need to travel frequently between these two places to make this work; once you flew more than five first-class, round-trip flights between the two airports, it would have made sense to get a membership.

Best for: A traveler who wants to fly private between New York and Boston.

Catey
Hill

Catey Hill covers personal finance and travel for MarketWatch in New York. Follow her on Twitter @CateyHill.

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